Just swapped CPU and MOBO, Win7 will not boot.

gibb · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:33

Hi,

I have just swapped from the setup in my signature to the same with a Asus P5Q-E and a Q6600. It posts fine and I can play around in the BIOS, however it will not boot windows.

The windows start screen comes up, the flag is just coming into view when it stops and the PC restarts instantly and begins loading the BIOS once more.

Is this usual for an upgrade like this and is there anything I can do so I do not have to reformat? :confused:

, or have a killed something in my cack handed PC assembly?

Thanks

seb500 · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:43

you actually install windows again? need to be installed on the motherboard if im right :/

SiriusB · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:46

Changing the motherboard can cause Windows to be unbootable. Windows 7 is usually quite tolerant, but I would hazard not in all cases!

It is also possible you did something during the upgrade. Are you able to boot into Safe Mode at all?

What mode is your storage controller in? [IDE/AHCI/RAID]. If you were using say IDE on the last mobo and this one is set to AHCI, it will cause Windows not to boot. Try changing it and see if Windows will load.

gibb · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:52

Thanks for the advice, I will check the IDE thing. How do I get into safe mode? (cant remember).

I do get one option when it reboots to repair the startup, I have tried doing this but it doesn't help.

rpstewart · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:53

SiriusB said:
What mode is your storage controller in? [IDE/AHCI/RAID]. If you were using say IDE on the last mobo and this one is set to AHCI, it will cause Windows not to boot. Try changing it and see if Windows will load.

That would be my guess, it sounds like the system is BSODing (with auto restart on) as it loads the storage drivers.

SiriusB · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:56

tgomas said:
Thanks for the advice, I will check the IDE thing. How do I get into safe mode? (cant remember).

I do get one option when it reboots to repair the startup, I have tried doing this but it doesn't help.

Spam F8 during POST

rpstewart said:
That would be my guess, it sounds like the system is BSODing (with auto restart on) as it loads the storage drivers.

This is my thoughts exactly.

gord · 23 Jul 2010 at 15:56

I still don't think we are at the point where I am happy to change key hardware components without a reinstall of the OS.

robinbredin · 23 Jul 2010 at 16:00

I had to do a reinstall of Win 7 with my new motherboard, and had to telephone Microsoft to get it activated.

bledd · 23 Jul 2010 at 16:06

gord said:
I still don't think we are at the point where I am happy to change key hardware components without a reinstall of the OS.

This

I went from an Asus P5QL-Pro to a P5QPL-AM and no number of ahci / ide / sata BIOS setting changes made it bootable, I just formatted

gibb · 23 Jul 2010 at 16:07

I tried switching to AHCI from IDE but it was still the same. Safe mode also restarts after about 2 seconds of trying to boot. I think I am going to have to reinstall and cross my fingers, I hope I have not buggered up the hardware.

This

I went from an Asus P5QL-Pro to a P5QPL-AM and no number of ahci / ide / sata BIOS setting changes made it bootable, I just formatted

Did your behave similarly to this, ie try to load but fail almost straight away?

gord · 23 Jul 2010 at 16:20

Its surprising how resilient hardware is. I'm sure it's fine, just get a clean HD and do a nice install.

SiriusB · 23 Jul 2010 at 17:38

Driver issue is right at the top of the list of the causes, broken hardware way down at the bottom. No need to fret just yet!

I upgraded my SBS 2008 server from a Q6600+ASUS P5B Deluxe to an i7+Gigabyte UD5 and I didn't need to reinstall. I have also switched out a motherboard on a Windows 7 system [though was same brand and very similar board] and again, didn't need to reinstall.

Though for peace of mind I like to do a fresh install if it is a major upgrade [haven't had time to fiddle with my server

]

Destination · 23 Jul 2010 at 19:12

New motherboard = Reinstall

Mad not to, so much legacy crap hanging aorund from the old install.

mrk · 23 Jul 2010 at 21:21

gord said:
I still don't think we are at the point where I am happy to change key hardware components without a reinstall of the OS.

I do but there is a but in there.

You should make sure core system components from device manager areuninstalle dbeforehand so this means Storage controllers, the CPU, the chipset controllers from system devices, the sound and gfx cards.

I've done this a few times and it's never caused a problem for example going from AMD to Intel, then from P35 mobo to a P45 mobo (different brands too).